Kids learn about jackhammers, power tools during construction expo

About 1,200 area eighth-graders will have the opportunity this week to learn more about jackhammers and such during the annual Construction Industry Expo held at Exposition Gardens.

Clare Jellick

Von Steuben Middle School eighth-grader Jonah Tate was as happy as a pig in mud. Or perhaps a construction worker in dirt.

He spent Tuesday morning in a hard hat and safety goggles, trying his hand at different construction skills like jackhammering, wiring an outlet and operating a backhoe.

"It’s, like, the best day," said Tate, 13, who wants to work for Caterpillar Inc.

He is one of about 1,200 area eighth-graders who are expected to take part in the annual Construction Industry Career Expo that kicked off Tuesday and runs through Friday at Exposition Gardens.

The event gives kids a closer look at careers in the union construction industry in the hopes that they’ll consider these jobs later on in life.

"There’s a lot of young people who haven’t heard anything about construction other than it’s a terrible thing to be. … That’s really bogus," said Dan Silverthorn, executive director of the West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council.

Dirt flew and dust floated in the open air arena Tuesday as staccatos of jackhammering drowned out all other sounds. Kids’ mouths opened wide with laughter as they tried to control the jackhammer with the help of an adult.

Students always were supervised by professionals, and everyone was required to wear hard hats, safety goggles, long pants and closed-toed shoes.

The crowd favorite was operating the controls of a backhoe donated for the event by Altorfer Inc.

Kelsea Purham, 13, from Rolling Acres Junior Academy, said it was the highlight of her morning. "You were in control and you felt like you were actually on the job," she said.

While the students were introduced to the different trades, they also learned about the requirements needed to pursue those jobs.

Silverthorn said to begin an apprenticeship program in the trades, people must be at least 18 years old, have a high school education or the equivalent and a driver’s license. Trade exams also must be passed.

"I’m hoping they walk away with the idea that there is an alternative to possibly going on to a four-year college," Silverthorn said.

Tuesday’s event planted the seed in Purham’s mind. She’s been thinking about becoming a doctor, but she likes that a construction career would take less schooling.

"Now I see how well this pays," Purham said.

The average hourly wage for a journeyman worker is between $25 and $30, Silverthorn said. He added that it’s possible for an Illinois worker who takes advantage of overtime to make $100,000 annually.

He said there’s going to be a surge in retirements in the next five years, and the industry desperately needs quality people to fill the void.

"One of the toughest things we’re facing right now is attracting young people who want to realize it’s a career," he said.

Clare Jellick can be reached at (309) 686-3112 or cjellick@pjstar.com.